D’Works inks ‘Madagascar’ spin-off

Animation studio taps writers for penguin feature

The four penguins of DreamWorks Animation’s “Madagascar” are being trained to star in their first bigscreen feature.

The toon studio has tapped Alan J. Schoolcraft and Brent Simons to pen the project. The duo, who previously wrote “Megamind” for the company, are now developing a bigger tale for Skipper, Kowalski, Private and Rico.

The scene-stealing penguins have their own TV show, “The Penguins of Madagascar,” now airing its second season on Nickelodeon, and have starred in direct-to-DVD pic “The Penguins of Madagascar: Operation – DVD Premiere”; short film “The Madagascar Penguins in a Christmas Caper”; and their own games.

They will also be brought back for the third “Madagascar,” skedded for next year.

“Megamind” earned $319 million at the worldwide B.O. for DreamWorks Animation.